When parents go through a divorce or separation in Colorado, one of the most important issues the court will address is child support. Unfortunately, there’s a lot of misunderstanding around what child support is — and what it isn’t. Some parents treat it like leverage in custody negotiations, but under Colorado law, child support has a very specific definition and purpose.
Let’s break it down.
How Colorado Defines Child Support
In Colorado, child support is a court-ordered financial obligation one parent pays to the other (or, in some cases, to the state) to help cover the costs of raising their children.
The key here is that child support is for the child, not the parent. It exists to make sure children’s needs are met, not to reward or punish either parent.
Colorado uses what’s called the Income Shares Model when calculating child support. This model estimates how much parents would have spent on their children if they had remained together and then divides that amount between the parents in proportion to their gross incomes and their share of parenting time.you may be held financially responsible for your spouse’s debts or damages, even if you did not agree to them.
The Purpose of Child Support
The law is clear: the purpose of child support is to make sure children:
- Have their basic needs met, including food, clothing, shelter, medical care, and educational costs.
- Benefit from both parents’ financial resources, not just the parent they live with most of the time.
- Maintain, as much as possible, the standard of living they would have enjoyed if their parents were together.
In other words: child support is about the child’s well-being and stability — not about either parent “winning” or “losing.”
Common Misunderstandings
Many parents mistakenly believe that:
- Parenting time and child support are tied together. They’re not. Child support is calculated with parenting time as one factor, but the two are separate legal issues. You cannot “trade” custody for lower child support.
- Parents can agree to waive child support. They can’t — at least not if it means the child’s needs won’t be met. Child support is considered the child’s right under Colorado law, not the parent’s.
Support is only about money. In reality, it’s about fairness and ensuring children are properly cared for, regardless of which household they’re in.
The Law in Colorado
Child support in Colorado is governed by C.R.S. § 14-10-115. This statute lays out the calculation methods, the official guideline worksheets (A and B), and the factors the court can consider. You can review the statute directly here: Colorado Revised Statutes § 14-10-115
If you’re going through divorce or separation, it’s important to understand that child support isn’t a bargaining chip — it’s a legal obligation designed to protect children.
At Open Space Mediation, I help parents create realistic parenting plans and financial agreements that meet legal requirements while keeping children’s best interests front and center.
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